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Real Madrid will be keen to atone for its recent poor form when it travels to face Levante on Saturday.

In their last four trips to the Estadi Ciutat de Valencia, Los Blancos have won just once, although that came last season courtesy of a 2-1 triumph, which was sealed by a late Alvaro Morata goal. Prior to that, Madrid had not won - or even scored - on its previous three trips to the Ciutat de Valencia.

A win will hold even bigger significance for Carlo Ancelotti after last week's 1-0 home defeat to Atletico Madrid, the capital club's first league defeat of the 21st century to its city rival; however, spirits will have been lifted by a comfortable 4-0 victory over Copenhagen in the Champions League on Wednesday, sealed by doubles from Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria.

The game also marked Raphael Varane's first appearance since suffering a knee injury against Espanyol in May, and the France international, who also earned a recall to Didier Deschamps' national squad, was delighted to return.

"I'm very happy," Varane said. "I went a long time without playing and I was on the pitch for the entire 90 minutes which was a real pleasure. I worked very hard over the past few days in order to achieve this. I feel physically quite good and from now on I hope to play well."

Varane's comeback is a timely boost, with Pepe's availability uncertain after he suffered a nasty head cut against the Danish side. Xabi Alonso (foot) is definitely ruled out, while world-record signing Gareth Bale (thigh) will also play no part.

Levante is in strong form going into the clash, having lost just once all season, although that defeat was by a 7-0 scoreline at Barcelona. Since then, Joaquin Caparros' side has drawn four games and won twice, leaving the club ninth in the Liga table with 10 points.

Pape Diop could be a doubt for the hosts after missing midweek training with a knee injury, but Caparros is upbeat over the availability of Baba Diawara and David Navarro, who have recovered from a hamstring injury and illness, respectively.